Tonge Cemetery⎜Fred Dibnah ⎜The Famous North West Steeplejack ⎜

Tonge Cemetery first opened December 31st 1856 and was the first municipal cemetery of bolton, originally known as Bolton Cemetery.
The cemetery itself covers 7.91 acres with newer graves situated to the left of the entrance and older graves to the right. the right side of the cemetery is non-conformist, the left and centre Church of England and the rear Roman Catholic. Originally the site had three chapels one to the left, right and rear of the plot. However, over time they were demolished with only the Church of England one remaining, this one however is blocked off due to it being in disrepair.
The cemetery has a few notable people buried here.
Thomas McCarte was a famous lion tamer, died in 1872. He was a one armed lion tamer travelling with Manders Menagerie when the lions he was taming attacked him and he died. he had already lost one arm through lion taming January of that year. Around 500 people witnessed his death. In the link below is the full article on his death which was publish in the Bolton Evening News and the NY Times.
Fred Dibnah the famous steeplejack and later TV presenter. He grew up in Bolton and after serving in the British army he returned to Bolton to be a steeplejack. It was during this that he was asked to repair Bolton's parish church which resulted in a boost in publicity. In 1978, while he was making repairs to Bolton Town Hall, Fred was filmed by a regional BBC news crew. The BBC then commissioned a documentary, which followed him as he worked on chimneys, interacted with his family and talked about his favourite hobby steam.
As a commemorative token a bronze statue was built and placed in Bolton town centre with a steam engine preserved in glass placed behind it.
Music by:
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Sources:
www.findagrave...
www.bolton.gov...
www.woodlandtr...
www.mbaird.mlfh...
anglo-celtic-c...
paperspast.nat...
en.wikipedia.o...
www.freddibnah...

[@stephenmartin2737]

I remember that saying that Fred used regularly " you only get one chance to make a mistake at my job , then it's half a day out with undertakers " lol god bless fred he was a wonderful man such enthusiasm and joy for his profession such a likeable man loved his Bolton accent wit and humour he was a one off, rest in peace fred much respect from Northern Ireland

[@anthonyharrison3343]

I paid my respects to Fred, back in 2018 when we had that hot summer. It was a beautiful day in June. Glad to see the cap and spanner still there!

[@SagaciousFrank]

This country has sunk so low it's beyond recognition. This is what happens when people don't know, understand, or care for their own past.

[@maledwards4944]

Fred was a great man. Watched loads of footage about him over the years.

[@SagaciousFrank]

He was a last vestige of the greatness of Britain and specifically Lancashire, my home county.

[@Magnum1912.]

I thought there would have been a substantial headstone I’m surprised sleep well Fred 🚂

[@norfolkronin6307]

While i had posters of Raquel Welch and Bruce Lee on my bedroom walls. My little brother had a couple of Fred Dibnah's. Instilled abit of backbone while educating a boy i suppose. What a man. He'll be resting in peace. Or in the clouds. On top of some celestial chimney stack, the mighty governor needs taking down. Lookin down on the world wherever. Now an international star. Dropping every mans jaw everywhere around the world. Which he would never of thought of. With his undeniable genius of construction, engineering. And his/the art of dismantlement. Bless him. Bless you! Takecare.

[@ianhuddleston3047]

Are lawn mowers that expensive .. bloody disgrace

[@norfolkronin6307]

I wonder if he ever came to Strumpshaw in Norfolk. Old steam rally. Bless him and you!

[@IanNorris-m8j]

What a state😢 of a place

[@ianhuddleston3047]

Thought I was the only one thinking that surely there’s $$ to cut the grass etc the least we can do for them now

[@petebrothwell2998]

What is wrong with an overgrown cemetery. Let nature take over. It's much more atmospheric than neatly cut grass.

[@mattstevens8210]

Such a character a legend, we will never see again in my opinion deserves a better grave. God bless you, Fred. Love watching you.

[@paddywuk]

Plenty of criminals that can be doing voluntary work on these places,( disgraceful council)

[@Graveyard_explorers]

Not every council sends out community services to churches as they’re deemed of lesser importance that other infrastructure in those areas

[@JohnFletcher-hz1mp]

I'm well thought of in my community, the amount of free work I've done,I bloody better be!😂

[@DaveBeaven-tx2tp]

It’s a council owned cemetery. Looking at the state of it it’s a Labour council.

[@Signaman-z9d]

It's sad and a shame these graveyard's are let go to ruins. A partnership between council and people to look after graveyard's. RIP FRED.🌹☘️

[@chucky2316]

They are building on cemeterys in places. Look at that one in Nottingham. Headstones ripped up and piled up

[@Signaman-z9d]

Without sounding melodramatic in my country Ireland the issues that have impacted most people's lives in some way or other. Most people are pinning all their ills on the effect's directly and indirectly on Covid19. This pandemic knocked the shit out of us all and messed up a way of life that we were all in tune with. At a micro level in tight knit communities the rug was pulled out from under our feet. A way of life was dismantled broken up. Little to no acknowledgement 7 whether the relevant authorities, EX DCC, HSE, SW, essential services. Hardest hit as usual OAPs and the sick. The complete closing of these service during the pandemic and the partial reopening has a huge negative impact on already sparse services. Community spirit is broken for so many, the silent majority can no longer carry the burden without help from a government that's awash with money and no social plan of cohesion building for the future. The money they have in trust won't last long if they go on a bike shead blitz around the country, one for everyone in the audience, I mean country. 😂. The first time in all our history we can be completely in control of our own destiny. I'm no economist or politically minded or interested in normally, but even I can see that a fair deal will mot be had by the majority. The the majority will be placated with meaningless social welfare rises that won't rise above inflation. It's a wonder social welfare are not giving recipients some butter vouchers and turf dockets on top of their entitlements. The future, the end ✌️

[@AndrewDaley-lr9qg]

That church had been empty and abandoned since the mid 80s nobody was was bothered until they were repupurpacing the building. ​@@chucky2316

[@jwwilson-h3i]

god bless you fella realy miss you makeing mor videos sorry big man

[@spitfirekev]

Everything video. I've just discovered your channel. I've subscribed too. Top job. 👏👏👏

[@Graveyard_explorers]

Thanks for the sub! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jacquelinesmedley7853]

Thanks for the video. I often wonder what will eventually happen to all these late 1800s grave yards and cemetery's of peoples long forgotten ancestors who are left to disappear in the weeds, grass and brambles, It seems no one wants the responsibility of ownership and upkeep of these neglected places, by using excuse's to turn them into nature sites, bee and butterfly gardens and avoiding the question of how long can it go on.

[@Graveyard_explorers]

Same, we try where we can to clear up some of the weeds and waste on graves but when it’s this big and out of control it’s hard to do. You can easy allow nature to take over a cemetery without it being so overgrown.

[@Signaman-z9d]

Totally agree, I've just made a comment about what you talked about ,sad and shameful. I'm Irish parts of our biggest graveyard in Dublin is let go like this, it's about respect. It should be a national thing a partnership between people and government. Fred a great man,RIP ✊🌹

[@johnathanryan2117]

Theres a film in the documentary on Fred from the late 70s and early 80s where he stands in the cemetery, not far from where hes buried , talking about life and death. Its effectively at the back of his house. Theres also a fella in the old part, the bit that floods quite often towards the river and near the nuns plot,called Julius Ceasar. Lucky to have it on my doorstep.

[@Graveyard_explorers]

Don’t think I’ve ever seen that documentary, but he was always a lover of where he grew up so no surprise he’s buried so close to home.

[@johnathanryan2117]

@@Graveyard_explorers think its called " A Year With Fred" or summat similair , it on KZbin, worth a watch

[@lyndaodell3619]

Disgraceful whoever is responsible needs to tidy it up very disrespectful to let it get like this. Where I have purchased a plot with my sister my mother,father,grandmother ,uncle and sister all together is like a beautiful park very well kept and lots of beautiful flowers as it should be no grave is neglected.Run by the town council they do an amazing job.

[@Graveyard_explorers]

Not all councils prioritise cemeteries especially the older section due to no living relatives. Plus in some councils the grave isn’t their responsibility so if it’s overgrown they won’t tidy it

[@ukphone4183]

He liked his steam engine 🎉🎉🎉

[@peterhancox6962]

rip FRED DIBNAH

[@DennisSalonga-o8b]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@rocksteel44]

...AUSGEZEICHNET!!!!

[@EricOconnell-j5r]

Love it to be cleared up...more but wildlife love it Mowing some be great...Bishops Stortford Herts Near Stansted Airport

what a waste of time I loved Fred but I did not want to waste all this time to see his grave you muppet!!!

12 minutes of pointless waiting type in his grave to google find in seconds

[@Graveyard_explorers]

If you wanted to see his grave so quickly could have done that to begin with 👍 these videos are designed to bring peace to people. Clearly didn’t work for you..

THAT IS CRAP WHY DID YOU NOT SAY THIS

Pity you never told us you before we watched your video

all you had to do was give us a timeline instead of wasting our time!!!!!!!!!

[@lakefromeshippingcompany]

The grass in some areas needs some attention but I've been to cemeteries in far worse condition than that. 🪦

[@Graveyard_explorers]

The older side was strangely unkept but like you say some cemeteries in much worse a condition than this one